Major Water Main Failure Disrupts Brisbane Suburb
A burst water pipe on Wynnum Road near Hamilton Street in Tingalpa, Brisbane, has triggered a significant outage, affecting approximately 45 properties and a local primary school. The incident occurred around 11:45 AM on Monday, sending water flooding across the roadway and cutting off supply to surrounding areas.
Ongoing Repairs and Traffic Impacts
Crews from Urban Utilities have been working overnight on the 62-year-old infrastructure, describing the repair as a "large pipe and a complex job" that is expected to continue into Tuesday evening. Outbound lanes remain closed, while city-bound traffic is still flowing, but drivers are urged to exercise caution on detour routes following reports of a pedestrian being hit and a vehicle sideswiped.
School Adapts to Water Shortage
Tingalpa State School has implemented various strategies to manage the disruption, including delivering portable toilets and converting tank water for limited toilet use. The Department of Education confirmed the school is open as usual, with access to bottled water and alternative facilities. The school's P&C advised families to ensure children bring full drink bottles, and some parents opted to keep their children home due to the conditions.
Resident Experiences and Additional Incident
Local residents, such as Andrew Collins, reported a "dribble" of water at home, highlighting the ongoing impact. In a separate incident, a second burst was reported less than an hour later on Monday at Abbotsleigh Street in Holland Park, with Urban Utilities investigating whether the two events are related. The utility provider noted that burst pipes can be caused by factors like ground movement from rainfall or temperature changes and extreme weather events.
Community Response and Future Outlook
Councillor Lisa Atwood stated that authorities hope to reopen the road later on Tuesday, but timing remains uncertain due to variables. The P&C later updated that bottled water is available for students to refill, thanking parents for their patience as the situation continues to unfold.
